"Are you ready?"

  Yuhi Shinku asked from across the breakfast table, chopsticks pausing mid-bite.

  "We've been preparing for this the whole time," Kurenai announced proudly, puffing out her chest. "The graduation exam won't be difficult for us at all!"

  "Indeed."

  Shinku sighed, setting down his chopsticks. "Time really does fly."

  "Fly?" Kurenai glanced at Hanekawa with a slight smile. "I think it's going too slow!"

  Shinku opened his mouth, then closed it again. He set down his chopsticks with the careful precision of a man accepting defeat.

  My sweet little daughter is gone, he thought miserably. Completely gone.

  "Let's eat," he said instead, handing chopsticks to Kurenai.

  "Thank you, Dad."

  Kurenai took them and immediately turned to offer them to Hanekawa.

  Shinku's eye twitched.

  Should I just leave now? he wondered. I'm becoming increasingly redundant in my own family.

  "Hanekawa," Kurenai asked, picking up a piece of natto, "will I really be assigned to your class when they divide us up?"

  "Definitely," Hanekawa said smoothly. "My teacher is Tsunade—one of the Legendary Sannin."

  You took the back door, Shinku thought, but he had to admit it was useful. He'd never received such treatment at graduation. His assigned teammates and teacher had been... mediocre. Now he was the only one left alive.

  "Really?" Kurenai's face lit up. "Then I'll protect you from now on!"

  "He doesn't need your protection," Shinku said carefully. "He's very strong. Focus on yourself."

  "No way!" Kurenai rejected this without hesitation. "Because Hanekawa is a medical ninja."

  Shinku nearly choked on his tea.

  A medical ninja with that kind of fighting power? He'd been about to argue further when he caught Hanekawa's eye—a subtle signal that said: I've got this.

  Shinku understood. Hanekawa would protect Kurenai. He didn't need to worry.

  The realization settled over him like a heavy blanket. His daughter had grown up. She didn't need his protection anymore.

  "Uncle Shinku," Hanekawa said, raising his chopsticks to block Kurenai's attempt to feed him natto—which he hated—"are you coming to watch?"

  "Don't go!" Shinku blurted out, then immediately looked away.

  Hanekawa blinked, confused by the sudden outburst, but said nothing.

  ---

  After breakfast, Hanekawa and Kurenai headed to the Ninja Academy. They'd barely made it a block when Asuma dropped down from a wall in front of them, arms spread wide.

  "Hey! Didn't you see me? I'm right here!"

  "Didn't notice," Hanekawa and Kurenai said in perfect unison.

  They exchanged a glance and laughed—Kurenai's laugh particularly bright and genuine.

  "..." Asuma looked pained. Why did I even bother?

  "Do you know who's on your team?" he asked, recovering quickly and adopting a mysterious tone.

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  "What? You know?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

  "I don't know," Asuma admitted with a smirk. "But I told the Old Man to put you and me on the same team."

  The Old Man being the Third Hokage.

  "I think your wish might not come true," Hanekawa said mildly.

  "What do you mean?"

  "You'll find out when the time comes. Though considering your status, your teammates won't be bad."

  "Humph!" Asuma said defensively. "Class divisions are based on ability, not status!"

  "So you just asked the Hokage to cheat for you?" Kurenai asked sweetly.

  "That's not cheating—it's a suggestion!"

  "You're getting better at this," Asuma said, shooting Kurenai a look. "You sound more like Hanekawa every day."

  "I'll take that as a compliment!" Kurenai hugged Hanekawa's arm with a smug smile.

  Asuma regretted everything. He couldn't beat Hanekawa, and he couldn't beat Kurenai either. Why did I come?

  "After we're divided into teams, my squad will complete the most missions," he declared, trying a new angle.

  "That's impossible," Kurenai said without hesitation. "The three of you combined can't beat Hanekawa."

  "You—!" Asuma's hands shook with indignation. Could it be that I'll never beat him at anything?

  He was still brooding when Rin's voice called out: "Hanekawa!"

  Behind her came Obito and Kakashi.

  "Good morning," Hanekawa greeted with a smile.

  He noticed Kurenai's grip on his arm tighten.

  Rin's gaze lingered on that arm for exactly one second.

  "Good morning," she said, her smile bright and professional. "Asuma, do you have any news about the class assignments?"

  "No," Asuma answered truthfully. "The exam hasn't even started yet."

  Obito looked disappointed, but then he glanced at Rin and brightened immediately. With our bond, we'll definitely be on the same team.

  "Kakashi," Hanekawa asked as they walked, "how's your Lightning Style research coming?"

  "Poorly," Kakashi admitted. "The Raikiri's speed is excellent, but my eyes can't keep up. The accuracy is suffering."

  He didn't mention the obvious solution—that a Sharingan would solve the problem perfectly. But Hanekawa caught the implication anyway.

  "No rush," Hanekawa said. "These things take time."

  "Right."

  ---

  The Academy was quieter than usual. With only the sixth-year class taking the graduation exam today, the hallways felt almost empty.

  "Hanekawa-senpai!"

  A familiar voice called out. Hanekawa turned to find Shisui approaching.

  "Shisui? What are you doing here?"

  "I applied for early graduation," Shisui explained with an embarrassed smile. He hadn't told them in advance, but his father had recently found him with a simple message: War is coming. You're an Uchiha genius. You shouldn't be safe in school.

  Fugaku also wanted him to get close to Konoha's leadership.

  "With your ability, early graduation makes sense," Hanekawa said. I wonder how Hiruzen will assign his team.

  "I'm going to find my instructor," Shisui said. "See you later."

  "Will Shisui be on a team with us?" Asuma asked once Shisui was gone.

  "Possibly. We're graduating in the same class, so we'll be in the same cohort."

  "That would be perfect!" Asuma said eagerly. "I hope I get him on my team."

  They all knew Shisui's strength. Except for Hanekawa, none of them were confident they could beat him.

  ---

  The classroom was already occupied when they arrived. Eiichiro, their instructor, smiled gently at them.

  "Fifteen minutes until the exam. Prepare yourselves."

  There wasn't much to prepare for the Three Body Technique. Hanekawa settled into his seat and opened his Ability System.

  Six months had passed since acquiring Dark Walking. His B-Rank entry was finally complete.

  [B-Rank Talent Entry: Illusion Specialist Jonin]

  [Trigger Condition: Nine illusion ninjutsu techniques mastered]

  [Effect: All illusion effects increased by 100%]

  [Note: Learning additional illusions may lead to advancement to A-Rank Illusion Specialist Jonin]

  The effect and upgrade path mirrored his Medical Specialist Jonin entry perfectly.

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen set down his documents as a knock sounded.

  He'd been expecting this. Every year at this time, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu came to discuss class assignments.

  "Come in."

  The two advisors entered. They'd served as bodyguards to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and maintained influence even now. Their opinions on class divisions carried weight.

  "Hiruzen," En said, nodding slightly.

  Hiruzen handed over the documents. "This year's graduates and their assigned instructors."

  "Good," En said, scanning the list. "This class has more geniuses than we've seen in a decade."

  Koharu's eyes found the instructor assignments and she smiled knowingly. "And Minato?"

  "Yes," Hiruzen confirmed. "I already have someone in mind."